In a surprising twist, UFC president Dana White, who has long criticised boxing for its perceived corruption and complications, is now partnering with Saudi Arabian investors to revolutionise the sport he once scorned. White previously stated that boxing requires “a Saudi f—ing trillionaire” to make things happen, highlighting the financial obstacles in the industry. This partnership comes as the UFC’s parent company, TKO, joins forces with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, to create a new boxing league with the aim of simplifying and streamlining the sport.
Currently unbranded, the proposed league will feature around 150 to 160 boxers who will ascend the rankings based on their in-ring performance, similar to UFC’s structure. Moreover, fighters will benefit from access to the UFC Performance Institute, which offers top-tier training facilities across various global locations.
One of boxing’s critical flaws is its convoluted rankings system, where multiple champions exist across various organisations, leading to confusion among fans. The new league aims to counter this by declaring a single champion per weight division, aspiring to eliminate the chaos of multiple titles and create a clearer hierarchy.
The TKO Boxing League will encompass all 17 weight classes currently in operation, providing a comprehensive platform for fighters to compete. While specific boxers have not yet been announced, the goal is to attract prominent names in the boxing realm, although their current contractual commitments may pose challenges.
Scheduled to debut around 2026, TKO plans to host major events, likely in Saudi Arabia, with significant media production behind its shows. The league will strive to introduce only one championship belt per weight category, potentially featuring the coveted Ring Magazine title.
Alalshikh’s ambition includes disrupting rival promotions, asserting a desire to be the definitive boxing entity. While entities like the WBC have expressed an open-minded stance towards this new initiative, critics, including established promoters, have voiced concerns about the implications of having concentrated power over the sport’s framework and potential implications for fighters’ earnings.
This bold venture presents a significant opportunity for boxers to gain leverage in negotiations and potentially elevate the profile of future bouts. However, it may also lead to further fragmentation within the boxing industry, creating distinct leagues with diverging interests.
Ultimately, while TKO has a financial advantage that could reshape boxing, the success of this model remains uncertain amid the sport’s historical complexities and longstanding rivalries. Whether this initiative will bring about meaningful change or create new challenges remains to be seen, but it certainly has the boxing world on alert.